AUGUSTA, Maine —The two top candidates seeking to replace Republican Gov. Paul LePage expressed dismay and concern Wednesday over LePage’s refusal to release a study on Maine’s welfare programs that is being paid for with taxpayer dollars.

Democratic candidate and Maine’s 2nd District U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud said LePage’s refusal to follow the advice of Attorney General Janet Mills would serve to only deepen the mistrust citizens have in government.

“We need to restore the voters’ faith and trust in government again and the only way to do that is to ensure it’s open, transparent and accountable to the people,” Michaud said. “The taxpayers of Maine have funded this report. He should release it.”

“There is a right way to handle contracts and a wrong way,” said Crystal Canney, Cutler’s spokeswoman. “This contract should have gone through a competitive bidding process. The governor should release it as the taxpayers are paying for it — or stop spending our money for partisan political purposes.”